Barium Toxicity

Barium (Ba)
Barium has not been
established to be an essential nutritional element. Elevated levels
of Barium often are observed after exposure to Barium which is used
as a contrast agent
during diagnostic medical tests such as "barium swallow", "upper GI
series", "barium enema", etc. Elevated levels of Barium may interfere
with calcium metabolism and potassium levels. Acutely high intake
of soluble Barium salts (nitrates, sulfides, chlorides) can be toxic.
Chronic exposure to Ba
may be manifested by skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle stimulation, tingling
in the extremities, and
loss of tendon reflexes. Due to its high density, Barium is utilized to
absorb radiation and is utilized in concrete shields around nuclear
reactors and in plaster used to line x-ray rooms.
The main use of Barium in medicine is as a contrast medium.
Long-term retention of Barium can occur - granuloma of the traverse
colon has been reported after diagnostic use of Barium sulfate.
Crystalline Barium titanate is a ceramic compound which is used
in capacitors and transducers. Barium is also used to produce pigments
in paints and decorative glass. Soluble Barium compounds are highly
toxic and may be used as insecticides. Barium aluminates are utilized
for water purification, acceleration of concrete solidification,
production of synthetic zeolites, and in the paper and enamel
industries. Although Barium
is poorly absorbed orally (<5%) it can be very high in peanuts and
peanut butter (about 3,000 Nano grams/gram) as compared to egg,
frozen and fast foods such as burgers, fries, and hot dogs (400-500
monograms/gram). It is noteworthy that Barium intake is much higher in
children than adults (Health Canada 2005,
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp24-c6.pdf).
Barium levels (and the levels of 16 other elements) in water can
be assessed with water testing. A confirmatory
test for elevated Barium is measurement of urine levels of Barium
after a chelation provocation, and blood electrolytes should be
checked as
hypokalemia (low potassium) may be associated with elevated Barium.

If you suspect that
you have an elevated Barium level, it is important to determine
total body load, not just a blood level. Here at
Chelation Medical Center we can do a provoked challenge, with a
urine collection which will show your total body load of Barium, as
well as other heavy metals. Just give us a call.